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Utilization of Char Land Through Pumpkin Cultivation by Using Sandbar Cropping Method in Northern Region of Bangladesh

M. Khatun
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M. A. Rashid
Principal Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M. A. Monayem Miah
Senior Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M.A Matin
Chief Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

S. Khandoker
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to find out the profitability and export potentialities of pumpkin cultivation in Rangpur and Gaibandha district of Bangladesh. a total of 120 pumpkin growers taking 60 farmers from each district were randomly selected for the study. Net return analysis was done on both variable and total cost basis. Domestic resource cost (DRC) analysis was also done for estimating comparative advantage of pumpkin production. The study revealed that net returns was positive for pumpkin cultivation. However, the highest net return was estimated for Rangpur district (Tk 105,299/ha) followed by Gaibandha district (Tk 93,936/ha). The higher benefit cost ratio (BCR) was also for Rangpur (2.46) followed by Gaibandha (2.40). Bangladesh had comparative advantage for producing pumpkin as the estimates of domestic resource cost (DRC) was less than one. The value of DRC for pumpkin was less than unity implied that the production of pumpkin would be highly efficient for export promotion.

Keywords: Export parity, Domestic resource cost, Benefit cost ratio

Location: Rangpur and Gaibandha district of Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2016

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Income generation

Objectives:

i. To know the socio-economic and livelihood status of the farmers;

ii. To know the cultivation practices of pumpkin cultivation by using sandbar cropping method;

iii. To estimate the profitability level of pumpkin cultivation by using sandbar cropping method and;

iv. To find out the problems and opportunities of sandbar cropping.

Methodology:

At the end of rainy season in mid-November, as the water level in the rivers recede, sandbars start to emerge. These sandbars are brought under cultivation using the sandbar cropping technique. The sandbar cropping technique is a pit cultivation approach, adapted to the sandbars to grow pumpkin, squash and watermelon. Pits are dug in the sandbars and are lined with manure and compost. Jute sacks are used in locations where ground water is very poor. Seeds are placed in the pits and are carefully monitored for the next few months with periodic irrigation and nursing as required. Two stage sampling procedure was followed to collect sample farmers for this study. At first, two districts Rangpur and Gaibandha were purposively selected from Northern region of Bangladesh respectively. In the second stage, one pumpkin growing upazila from char land of each district was selected on the basis of area and production. Finally, a required number of samples were randomly selected from the complete list of pumpkin growing farmers for interview. The number of sample farmers to be selected is an important question among the researchers. When the population size is known or roughly so and the researchers are careful of the heterogeneity problem, any number (equal to or) greater than the statistically large sample (of 30 sample units) may be appropriate (Freund and Williams, 1983). However, a total of 120 pumpkin growers taking 60 farmers from each district were selected randomly from the list for the study. The study was mainly based on primary data collected through face to face interview using a pre-tested interview schedule which was conducted through field survey during the month of December to April, 2016. The collected data were first edited and tabulated for analysis to fulfill the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics such as averages and percentages were used in this study.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report- 2016, Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study revealed that net return was positive for pumpkin cultivation. However, the highest net return was estimated for Rangpur district followed by Gaibandha district. The highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) was also for Rangpur followed by Gaibandha. DRC results indicated that Bangladesh had comparative advantage for producing pumpkin as the estimates of domestic resource cost (DRC) was less than one implied that the production of pumpkin would be highly efficient for export promotion. The introduction of this simple cropping technique has come as a blessing for these extremely poor people. The income generated by selling sandbar crops is enabling these poor farmers to build assets like the purchase of domestic animals — goats, sheep, cows, ducks, hens — and the purchase of boats, rickshaws and bicycles. People are now able to afford medical treatment and repay their loans. One notable change has been the empowerment of women in these remote riverbank regions. In the past, because of extreme poverty and fragmented family conditions, women were the most deprived members of the society, facing adverse conditions in terms of social oppression and economic inequality. Now women are playing an active role in farming and are contributing to family income. Their importance and role in family decision-making has improved significantly and they have been empowered not only in the socio-economic dimension but also in familial and psychological aspects. Farming techniques like sandbar cropping are the ones which are most needed in this remote and difficult landscape, so the people can adapt to the local environment. It has made a significant impact on the resource-poor and displaced communities of Bangladesh by providing opportunity for food production in barren lands, a decent income, asset generation, increased food consumption, improved nutrition and alternative risk management strategies during lean periods. This climate adaptive agriculture technique is making farmers resilient to climate change and has provided some hope and confidence towards facing the difficult times ahead.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings